Tramping attachment for cotton-presses



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

-T. C. EBERHARDT TRAMP'ING ATTACHMENT FOR COTTON PRBSSES.

No. 548,304. Patented Oct. 22, 1895 FIG-|.

ANDREW EGRAHAM. PHUTU'UTND-WASIHN FI'DNJHL (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

v T. G. EBERHARDT.

TRAMPING ATTACHMENT FOR COTTON PRESSES.

Patented Oct 22, 1895.

Wi asses .1 II 71::

ANDREW EGRMIAM. PHUI'OUTNQWASNINGTOKRC.

THEOPHILUS O. EBE RHARDT OF ANNISTON, ALABAMA.

TRAMPING ATTACHMENT FOR COTTON-PRESSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 548,304, dated October22, 1895.

Application filed March 28, 1894. satin No. 505,469. (No mi.)

a whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEOPHILUS O. EBER- HARDT, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Anniston, in the county of Calhoun and State ofAlabama, have invented a new and useful Self-Tramping Attachment forCotton-Presses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to self-trarnping attachments for cotton-presses;and it has for its object to provide an improved vdevice of thischaracter which shall possess novel and efficient means for tramping orpressing lint cotton into the receivingchamber of a pressbox previous topressing it into a bale in the usual way.

While the present invention is applicable to any style of cotton-pressthat receives its supply of lint cotton at the npperopen end of thereceiving-chamber, it is especially designed for and adapted to be usedin connection with what is commonly known as a double-box cotton-press,in which one of the receivingchambers is being filled with lint cottonby any ordinary means, either by hand or by a suitable condenser orconveyer, while the lint cotton in the other chamber can be pressed andtied into a bale at the same time.

Heretofore in devices of this character which have employed cylinder andpiston actuating devices it has been customary to locate the cylinderand piston devices immediately over the receiving-chamber of thepress-box and to attach the followerdirectly to the lower end of thepiston-rod. Steam is then admitted at the upper side of the pistonheadto force the follower down on the cotton, and by means of suitableweight connections the follower is elevated after steam is cut ofi. Thismethod of tramping the cotton is open to many objections, among whichare that all condensation of steam will leak down the pistonrod directlyonto the lint cotton in the pressbox, the weight connections and otherretracting devices are liable to break or part, and, in the case ofemploying weights, the weights are likely to fall, thus causing muchdamage to the machinery beneath them. Furthermore, by. placing thecylinder devices directly over the receiving-chamber of the press-box aheavy and expensive superstructure for the support of the same isrequired, and the steam-cylinder necessarily has to be of a considerablelength to allow the follower to have the necessary up-and-down travel,and such enlarged construction is also necessarily quite expensive.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome theseobjectionable features to other tramping attachments for cotton-pressesand to provide a cheap and efficientdevice for accomplishing thepurposes specified.

With these and other objects in view,which will readily appear as thenature of the ihvention is better understood, the same consists in thenovel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinaftermore fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

- In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front or side elevation ofa double-box cotton-press equipped with the herein-describedself-trainping attachment. Fig. 2 is an end view of the trampingattachment. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 4is an enlargeddetail sectional view of the cylinderactuating devices. Fig. 5 is adetail plan view of the air-vent cap. Fig. 6 is a detail elevationillustrating a modification in which the walking-beam or lever isactuated by a moving piston.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates a doubleboxcotton-press of the ordinary construction and which is provided with theordinary pressing devices and with means for operating them, saidcotton-press being provided with the separate press-boxes 2, one ofwhich is adapted to receive a supply of lint cotton at its upper openreceiving end or chamber, while the other press-box is arranged in aposition for having the cotton therein pressed and tied into a bale. Atthe upper ends of the press-boxes 2 of the cottonpress are located thetop girts or frame-timbers 3 of the cotton press, which girts or frametimbers are arranged stationary and comprise the ordinary top frame ofthe press, beneath which the boxes are shifted from the receiving-pointto the pressing and baling point, as is usual.

The top frame of the cotton-press, consisting of the top girts orframe-timbers 3, supports in position the upright supporting or hearingframe 4, constructed of suitable strength materials, and which islocated above too that press-box in which the ordinary pressing devicesmove to press the cotton into a bale, and said upright supporting orhearing frame 4 is provided at upper opposite corners with the oppositebearings 5, that loosely receive the opposite journals of the pivotblock or gudgeon 6, that is secured to the top side of the bifurcatedwalking-beam or lever 7 and at one side of the center of thiswalking-beam or lever. The short end of the walking-beam or lever 7, atone side of its pivot block or gudgeon 6,is adapted to be actuated bysteam or fluid pressure devices, which willbe more particularly referredto, and the other longer end of the walking-beam or lever extends toaposition directly over the receiving-chamber of the press'box to befilled, and the walkingbeam or lever 7 has pivotally connected to thisextremity the upper end of the plunger beam or arm 8, thelower end ofwhich is pivotally secured at 9 between the blocks 10, secured to thetop side of the slatted trampingfollower 11.

The slatted tramping-follower 11' is constructed in the same manner asthe ordinary pressing-followers and is arranged to move directly aboveand into the upper receivingchamber of the press-box that receives itssupply of lint cotton before being pressed, and secured to and arisingfrom the top of the follower 11 is the upright runner-frame 12,consisting of the opposite slide-bars 13, connected at their upper endsby the top cross-bar 14 and securely braced to the top of the followerby the inclined braces 15, and the opposite side bars of the uprightrunnerframe are adapted to slide in the inner side grooves 16 of theopposite vertically-disposed guides or guide-bars 17, that are securedfast to one side of the supporting-rail 18, extended from the toppress'frame beyond one side of the pivot of the press-boxes to hold theguides 17 in the proper position over the point to which the unfilledpress-box is moved. When an up-and-down movement is imparted to thewalking-beam or lever 7, the follower 11 is caused to slide up and downin its guides and to work into the open upper end of thereceiving-chamber of the press-box which has just received a freshsupply of cotton, so as to thoroughly tramp down the cotton previous topressing the same.

When the lint cotton is being delivered to the receiving-chamber of theunfilled presshox in a continuous bat, as by a suitable condenser orconveyer, and it therefore becomes necessary to hold back the cottontemporarily while the follower descends in the pressbox for the purposeof tramping the lint cotton,a cut-otf plate or diaphragm 19 is securedto one side of therunner-frame 12 for this purpose, so as to allow thefeeding cotton to be held in check until the follower 11 has againraised sufficiently to permit the cotton to again feed into thereceiving-chamber of the press-box; and it will of course be understoodthat this cut-otf diaphragm must be placed next to the receiving side ofthe press-box, for which reason the upright runner-frame 12 rises fromthe follower 11 near one side edge thereof.

The long end of the walking-beam or lever which is connected with thetramping-follower is moved downward by means of the vertically-movablesteam-cylinder 20, provided at the closed end or head thereof with thepivot-lug 21, to which is pivotally connected the lower end of the linkbar or red 22, the upper end of which is pivotally connected to theextremity of the short end of the walking-beam or lever. Theverticallymovable steam-cylinder 20 is closed both at its upper andlower ends, and the lower head thereof is provided with a neck-opening23 to receive the upright stationary piston rod or stem 24. Thestationary piston rod or stem 24 forms a support on which the cylinderslides up and down and is hollow throughout its entire length. The upperinner end of the hollow piston rod or stem 24 has suitably secured orattached thereto a stationary piston head or disk 25, the outer edge ofwhich is provided with suitable packing 26, contacting with the innersides of the cylinder 20.

The lower end of the hollow piston rod or stem below the lower end ofthe verticallymovable cylinder is provided with a flangedattachment-base 27, having at intervals bolt openings or holes 28 toreceive suitable securing-bolts for securing the stationary piston rodor stem with its attached head in a stationary position on the top frameof the cotton-press. The flanged attachment-base 27 at the lower end ofthe piston rod or stem is recessed at its upper side to form a drippan29, that serves to receive and collect any condensation of steam leakingdown the piston rod or stem or leaking from the threeway steam-cock 30,located directly thereabove and arranged in a casing at the outer end ofthe combined live-steam and exhaust pipe 31, opening into the lower endof the hollow piston rod or stem. A drain-pipe 32 is connected with theflanged attachment-base and communicates with the drip-pan 29 to carryoff or drain the water therefrom.

Steam is admitted into the hollow rod or stem 24 by the valve 30 throughthe steampipe 33, and steam is also exhausted from the rod or stem 24 bythe valve 30 through the steam-exhaust pipe 34, connected with thecasing of said valve, and the cook 30 has connected thereto anoperating-rod 35, controlled by a conveniently-arranged lever 36,whereby the operator can readily control the movements of thevertically-movable cylinder 20. The live steam that enters the hollowpiston rod or stem 24 passes through the upper end thereof into thespace above the piston-head 25, and therefore elevates thevertically-movable cylinder to actuate the tramping devices, and whilethe cylinder ascends the air in the lower part thereof below thepiston-head 25 escapes freely through the air vent openings IIO 37,formed in the piston-head 25 at opposite sides of the rod or stem 24,and which communicate with the opposite end ports 38, formed in thelower side of the air-vent cap 39, near opposite ends thereof.

The air-vent cap 39 is secured on top of the stationary piston-head 25by suitable means, and is provided near its opposite ends, where theports 38 are located, with the short spacing lugs or feet 40 to slightlyelevate the same above the piston-head to allow for the free inlet andescape of steam out of and into the rod or stem 24; and said vent-cap isfurther provided with a longitudinal air-passage 41, connecting theopposite end ports 40 and communicating with the central neck-opening42, into which is fitted the upper end of the small air-vent pipe 43.The air-vent pipe 43 is arranged longitudinally within the piston rod orstem 24, and is smaller than the same to leave a free steam-passage. Thesaid pipe 43 passes out through the lower closed end of the hollowpiston rod or stemv 24 and is connected to the air-pipe 44, which admitsand discharges air as the cylinder ascends and descends, as will bereadily apparent.

In operation steam is admitted into the top end of the cylinder 20 bythe means already described. This causes the cylinder to be forcedupward, raising one end of the walking-beam or lever '7 and forcing theother end of the walking-beam or lever, with the attachedtramping-follower, downward upon the lint cotton in thereceiving-chamber of the press-box being filled. By manipulating thecock 30 steam may be exhausted from above the piston-head out throughthe pipe 34, and as soon as the steam-pressure is exhausted from thecylinder the weight of the cylinder, together with the weight of the endof the walking-beam to which it is connected, will be sufficient toallow the cylinder to descend again and to raise the tramping-followerout of the press-box.

While the preferred construction of actuating device for thewalking-beam or lever has been described, still it will be obvious thata stationary steam-cylinder 45 may be substituted for the cylinder 20and suitably secured in the same stationary position as the stationarypiston rod or stem 24. The cylinder 45 may be provided with any suitablemeans for admitting and exhausting the steam or other expansive fluidand controls the movement of an ordinary moving pistonhead 46, thatactuates a piston rod or stem 47, which'is pivotally connected with oneend of the walking-beam or lever 7, thereby providing a simple form ofactuating device for the walking-beam or lever and which will secure thesame operation as the preferred devices described.

The location of the cylinder and piston devices at a convenient pointaway from over the receiving-chamber of the press-box being filledespecially adapts the herein-described attachment for double-boxcotton-presses and the many advantages for which arrangement willreadily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and it will beunderstood that changes in the form, proportion, and the minor detailsof construction may be resorted to without departing from the principleor sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Any suitable devicessuch as the oiler may be connected to thecylinder tolubricate the interior parts thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to besecured by Letters Patent, isv 1. In a self trampingattachment forcottonpresses, the combination with a double box cotton press, of a walkingbeam or lever adapted to be pivotally supported at a point intermediateof its ends above said cotton press with one end moving above the upperreceiving end of one of the press-boxes, a tramping follower connectedwith that end of the walking beam or lever and guided to work into andabove said press box, and cylinder and piston actuating devicesconnected with the other end of the walking beam or lever and located ata point away from said receiv-- ing press box, substantially as setforth.

2. In a tramping attachment for cotton presses, the combination with adouble box cotton press; of an upright supporting or bearing frameadapted to be supported on-the top frame of said double box press, awalking beam pivoted on said supporting frame, parallel grooved guidebars secured in a fixed position at the top of the press in a planeabove the receiving chamber of one press box, a tramping follower havingan upright runner frame extending from its upper side and sliding insaid guide bars, a plunger beam or arm pivotally connected to thefollower and one end of the walking beam or lever, and means formechanically moving the otherend of said walking beam or lever,substantially as set forth.

3. In a tramping attachment for cotton presses, the combination with acotton press; of suitably arranged guides, a tramping follower arrangedto work above and into the upper receiving chamber of the press box bymeans of a walking beam or lever connected thereto, an upright runnerframe extended from the upper side of said follower, and a cut-off plateor diaphragm secured to the upright runner frame that is extended fromthe upper side of the tramping follower, substantially as set forth.

4. In a tramping attachment for cotton presses, the combination of anupright supporting or bearing frame adapted to be supported at the topof a cotton press,a horizontally moving walking beam having a pivotblock or gudgeon journaled on said upright supporting or bearing frame,stationary guides adapted to be secured at the top of thepress above thetop receiving chamber of the press box, a tramping follower having an Wupright runner frame the opposite sides of which slide between saidstationary guides, a plunger beam connected to one end of the walkingbeam and to the tramping follower, a stationary piston suitably mountedat the top of the cotton press away from the receiving chamber of thepress box being filled, a vertically movable cylinder mounted to workover the stationary piston and pivotally connected to one end of thewalking beam or 1ever, means for admitting and exhausting steam to andfrom the said cylinder'above the piston, and separate means forautomatically admitting and exhausting air below the piston,substantially as set forth.

5. In a tramping attachment for cotton presses, the combination with thewalking beam or lever and the tramping follower connected to one endthereof; of a stationary hollow piston rod or stem having at one end apiston head and opening at its upper end into the space above thelatter, a vertically movable cylinder sliding on the piston rod or stemover said head, and connected to one end of the walking beam or lever,an air venting attachment for the lower part of the cylinder fitted toone side of the piston head, and means for controlling the inlet andoutlet of steam through the hollow piston rod or stem to and from thatportion of the cylinder at the other side of the piston head,substantially as set forth.

6. In a tramping attachment for cotton presses, the combination with thewalking beam or lever and the tramping follower connected to one endthereof, of a stationary hollow piston rod or stem carrying at one end apiston head and provided at its lower end with a flanged attaching basehaving a top drip pan recess therein, a drain pipe communicating-withthe drip pan recess, an automatic air vent for the cylinder, and aninlet and exhaust device for the hollow piston rod or stem,substantially as set forth.

7. In a self tramping attachment for cotton presses, the combinationwith the walking beam or lever and the tramping follower connected toone end thereof; of an upright stationary hollow piston rod or stemcarrying at its inner end a piston head provided with air vent openings,said rod or stem openinginto the space above the piston head, an airvent cap spanning the upper end of the piston rod or stem andcommunicating with the vent openings in the piston head, an air ventpipe arranged longitudinally within the piston rod or stem and connectedat one end to said vent cap, means for admitting steam into andexhausting it from the hollow piston rod orstem, and the verticallymovable cylinder sliding on the piston rod or stem and connected at oneend to one end of the walking beam or lever, substantially as set forth.

8. In a self tramping attachment for cotton presses, the combinationwith the walking beam or lever and the tramping follower connected toone end thereof, of a stationary hollow piston rod or stem carrying atits inner end a piston head provided with air vent openings, a vent capraised above the plane of the vent openings and secured to the pistonhead, said vent cap being provided with a longitudinal air passage,opposite end ports communicating therewith and the vent openings in thepiston head, and a central neck opening, an air vent pipe arrangedlongitudinally within the hollow piston rod or stem and connected at itsupper ends within a central neck opening of the vent cap, means foradmitting and exhausting steam to and from the hollow piston rod orstem, and the vertically movable cylinder sliding on the piston rod orstem and connected at one end to one end of the walking beam or lever,substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THEOPHILUS O. EBERI'IARDT.

Witnesses:

A. L. SMITH, T. B. TAYLOR.

